Combination apparatus for synchronizing motion and sound reproductions.



E. H. AMET. A COMBINATION APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING MOTION AND SOUNDRBPRODUGTIONS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1911.

1,065,576, Patented June 24,1913.

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k a Mzzasaea: Inventor B. H. AMET.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1911.

Patented June 24, 1913.

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Z 5 4 w I A {VI}. ut ib i COMBINATION APPARATUS FOR SYNGHRONIZING MOTIONAND SOUND REPRODUOTIONS.

B. H. AMET.

COMBINATION APPARATUS FOR SYNOHRONIZING MOTION AND SOUND REPRODUGTIONS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1911.

1,065,576, Patented'June 24,1913.

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5 5 Inventor Edward fiflmafi masses h/MW 2 2 gm onrrn s era ormcn.

EDWARD H. AIVIET, OF REID-ONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

Application filed September 5, 1911.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, EDWARD H. AMET, a citizen of the United States,residing at Redondo Beach, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Combination Apparatus forSynchronizing Motion and Sound Reproductions, of which the following isa specification.

An object of the invention is to provide means whereby motion picturesmay be reproduced with such verbal portions and sound efiects as wouldor should naturally emanate from or accompany the acts of the charactersor objects photographed in the motion picture such as conversation,music, birds singing, bells ringing, whistling, etc.

An object is to maintain synchronism between motion and soundreproductions by simple mechanical means.

Another object is to provide in synchronism, the necessary records ofthe sound and motion acts; to reproduce the same in synchronism withminimum destructive or wearing action upon the picture film; and toprovide for accurately starting the motion and sound reproducing devicestogether.

It is necessary in order to maintain the synchronism thatprovisionfbemade whereby allowance for breakage ofthc film may be accurately made'sothat in case a portion of the film is broken or cut out the film canstill'be adjusted synchronously relative to the sound record.

The invention comprises the combination with a motion picture machineand a sound record machine of means for connecting the same so that whenone of said machines is operated at its proper speed the other of saidmachines will be opera-ted at its proper speed.

The invention also includes means for starting the sound record machineat the proper instant relative to the film subject of the picturemachine.

The connecting means may be electrical or mechanical. For instance, thetwo machines may be connected to a constant speed electric motor havingdriving pulleys in proper proportion to give the required speeds to thetwo machines; or the machines may be widely separated where the requiredcurrent is obtainable, and driven by induction Specification of Le'ttersPatent.

Patented June 2d, 1913. Serial No. 647,769.

the sound record machine is made to depend upon the picture machine forits proper speed.

In this specification the term sonnd record machine includes both thesound recording and the sound reproducing apparatus, and the term motionpicture machine, includes both the camera and the projection machine.

In carrying out this invention it is desirable that the sounds bereproduced near the points from which they appear to emanate and in someinstances this may be accomplished by extending a connection from themotion picture machine to a station be low; behind at one side of orelsewhere near to the screen upon which the picture is to be.

projected; and in other instances the sound reproducing machine may beat the same station with the motion picture projecting machine, and thetransmission and reproduction of the sounds-at the appropriate locationsbe effected by electrical means. In such electrical transmission thesound reproducing machine ,may be provided with a carbon telephonetransmitter instead of the usual amplifying horn, and may be connectedin a circuit having a telephone re- 1 ceiver at the appropriate station.It is not necessary in this application to illustrate such anarrangement as the same is exemplified in my companion application,Serial No. 636,740, filed July 3, 1911.

It is obvious that a combinedmotion and sound reproduction of anyconsiderable length may require the use of a considerable number ofsound record devices as phonograph record cylinders or Victor recorddisks and I shall therefore illustrate the-apparatus as applied foroperating an indefinite number of sound reproducing machines that may besuccessively thrown into and out of operation all being driven from onesynchronizing mechanism operated by conmotors having pulleys in theproper proporl nection with the motion picture machine.

The invention may be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

Figure 1 is a broken plan, partly diagrammatic, of apparatus constructedin accordance with and for the purpose of carrying out this inventionapplied with the motion picture machine on one side and the soundmachine on the other side of the picture screen. 2 is a fragmentalelevation partly in section on line Figs. 1 and 3, to illustrate theelectro-pneumatic means for starting and stopping a sound record. Fig. 3is an elevation from the left of Fig. 2 showing a picture ribbon or filmin place and broken to contract the view. Fig. 4 is an elevation of themeans for controlling the speed of the motion picture projecting machineand also illustrating part of the gearing between said machine and thesound reproducing machine. Line 50*, Fig. 5, indirates the plane ofsight, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a sectionalelevation from line 413 Fig. 4, illustrating the centrifugal governingdevice. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the connection between the crankand the driving shaft of the motion picture machine.

The crank 1 of the motion picture machine 2, is connected with thedriving shaft 3 through a regulatable slip frictional connection, which,as shown in Fig. 6 comprises a friction wheel 5 rotatably mounted on astem 6 which extends axially from the triotion hub 7, that is fixed by aset screw 8 on the driving shaft 3. Said friction wheel 5 is held infrictional engagement with the hub 7 through a shoe 9 of fiber or othersuitable material by a regulating nut 10 screwed on the stem 6 againstthe pressure spring 11; said stem, nut and spring being contained in thehollow body 12 of the crank 1. By tightening or loosening the nut 10 theforce exerted through crank 1 to turn the shaft 3 may be increased ordecreased. When the resistance of the shaft 3 exceeds the regulatedforce the crank will slip relative to the shaft.

A fiy wheel 13 is mounted on a shaft 3 which is connected with the shaft3 through the trains a, b, of gearing, and a centrifugal governor 14 isprovided to exert a retarding efiect on the shaft 3", and consequentlyon shaft 3 when the required speed has been reached thus allowing theshafts 3 and 3 to be turned to but not exceeding the regulated speed. Byturning the crank 1, somewhat'faster than the determined speed, theshafts 3 and 3 will be made to run constantly at the regulated speed.

The governor 14 comprises a head 15 fixed by a pin 16 to the shaft 3 andprovided with fingers 17 that are pivoted at 18 to the head, and areconnected by springs 19 with centrifugal arms 20 which are pivoted tothe head by pivots 21 at one end and are pro-- vided at the other endwith weights 22 which overcome the springs. 19 when the speed limit isapproached and act througl i the brake shoes 23 on the brake rim 24,thereby producing friction which will cause sufficient slippage of thefriction wheel 5 to prevent the speed limit from being exceeded. Thefingers 17 are movable on their pivots 18 to throw the springs 19 towardthe shaft 3 and are held in opposition to the springs 19 by the conical.cup 25 which rotates with the shaft 3 and fingers 17, and is providedwith a flange 26, which extends into a groove 27 of a rotatable head 28that turns on an adjusting screw 29which is screwed through an arm 30that forms a bearing for one end of the shaft 3 and is carried by theframe 31 to which the brake rim 24 is fixed by the cap screws 32.

The motion picture film 33 is driven by the usual mechanism not shown,which is driven from the crank 1 and it is thus seen that by means ofthe governor 14 and slip joint 4 the picture machine and its ribbon 33can not be raced.

A train of gears c connects a sprocket wheel 34 with the shaft 3 andsaid sprocket wheel is connected by a sprocket connection 35, which maybe a sprocket chain or a perforated belt, with a second sprocketwheel36, that is fixed on a rotating element, as the shaft 37 which may beprovided with a fiy wheel 38f It is thus seen that when the motionpicture machine is operated by its driving means, as'the crank 1, theshaft 37 will be driven at a speed determined by the speed of the motionpicture machine so long.

as the speed of the driving means 1, equals or exceeds the regulatedspeed. A. collar 39 fixed to the shaft 37 holds an armature formingsprocket wheel 40 that is loosely mounted on the shaft 37 in closerelation to theelectro-magnet 41, which is fixed to said shaft. When theelectro-magnet' is energized the sprocket wheel 40 is caused to rotatewith the shaft 37. The elements 40 and 41 constitute an electro-magnet1cclutch. The circuit 42 of the magnet is controlled by the keys 43, 44,and an automatic control actuated from the film. The sprocket wheel 40is connected by a suitable connection, as the perforated belt 45, withthe shaft 46 of the sound record machine 47, which machine in theinstance shown has a horn 48, suitably arranged relative to a screen 49upon which the motion picture is to be projected. 'By the arrangementdescribed the motion picture machine and the sound reproducing machineconnected thereto may each be adjusted to the speed which will give themost perfect individual reproductions and still bear to each other suchratio of speeds that,

if they are started in register they will cont nue in registerthroughout the reproduction. It is understood that any number of kittalking machines may be thus connected with the motor'shaft 37 andelectro-magnet clutches and circuits therefor may be employed, and thatall the circuits may be controlled from one station. One such talkingmachine is shown in plan and an electrical circuit 42 closable by thecontacts d, e to cut in another sound reproducing machine is shown. IThe connection between any talking machine and the shaft 37 will in eachinstance, comprise a clutch and connection like those shown, whereby themotion from the connection may be applied to operate -the shaft of atalking machine.

The film 33 may be provided at appropriate points with perforations 50capable of affording communication, between a compressed air port 51 andan air duct 52 in the ribbon guide 52, that supplies air to operate adiaphragm which carries a movable contact 54 that connects with thestationary con tact when the air pressure is on the diaphragm; thuscompleting an electrical circuit 56 which may be cut-in by the pushbutton switch 57 and which energizes an electro-1nagnet to operate aspring returned armature 59 that carries a pawl 60 to engage a ratchetwheel 61, thereby to rotate a contact wheel 62 provided with contacts 63for connection with the yielding contact point 64 that is held by aspring 65 in the path of the contact '68, being regulated by a screw 66so that the distance it is allowed to project into said path may beincreased or decreased. The spring 65 makes a connection with one sideof the circuit 42 so that when the contacts 63, 64; complete the circuit42,the electro-magnet 41 of the clutch 39 is energized so that thesprocket wheel 40 will be driven and consequently the sound reproducingmachine will be operated. It is thus seen that when one perforation 50passes the port 51 the circuit 42 will be closed, and when the nextperforation 50 passes the port 51, the circuit 42 will be opened; thuscausing the talking machine to alternately operate and cease operation.The number of teeth in the ratchet wheel 1 of the step by step circuitcloser equals twice that of the number of contacts for the contactwheel,so that one operation of the armature 59 will move the contactwheel to make contact between the contact 63 and one of the contacts 64;and the next movement of the armature will break such contact. Theperforations 50 in the film or ribbon 33 are placed on the dividinglines 67 between the image carrying spaces 68, so that said perforationswill pass between the light and the lens at the moment the shutter ofthe motion picture projecting machine is closed. so that no undesirableflashing will occur on the screen.

In using this instrument for the reproduction of an act including visualactions and sound accompaniments, the motion picture machine requirescontinuous operation covering the act and announcements between acts butthe sound portions of the act are not necessarily continuous, and theyare wholly absent during announcements between acts. It is thereforeimportant that the sound record shall only run at the times when the actis or should be accompanied by sounds. Consequently, in order toeconomize the sound record or records, I have provided means operated bythe motion picture record, ribbon or film to start and stop the soundrecording or reproducing action of the sound record machine.

The speed at which the motion picture camera or projecting machine canbe run either by hand or by power, is practically limited by nature andis commonly fixed by proper gearing at a predetermined number ofexposures per minute, and the sound reproducing machine record alsorequires a certain number of revolutions per minute for practicalreproduction; there being, for instance, about sixteen exposures persecond for the picture machine and about 130 revolutions per minute fora phonograph record of present usual diameter. It is necessary thereforein the first place that the sound and picture records shall be producedwith relation to each other so that each may have its appropriate speed,and that in the reproduction of the act said speeds shall be maintained.It is also necessary if the sound record is not to be continuouslyoperated that its operation shall be absolutely controlled relative tothat of the picture record. In other words, the feed of the motionpicture film or record must bear a fixed and positive ratio to the feedof the sound record device, and the sound record de- Vice must start andstop operating its sound reproducing mechanism at times determined bythe picture record. As an illustration, the two record devices may belikened to two link belts running side by side over the same gear duringthe periods when the sound should accompany the action of the motionpicture character or subject. This relative movement between the tworecord devices must be initiated and terminated at exactly the rightinstants.

To prepare the records for reproducing an act. the following operationsmay be performed: a

First. The sound record will be produced in proper time for the act.This may be done while the act is being rehearsed, or may be doneindependently of any rehearsal of the actors, whichever course may benecessary or advisable. The sound record will also be given a startingsignal as three whistles or the words one. two. three."

Second. The sound record device thus prepared will be put in the soundrepro- ,A aoeaste ducing machine of an apparatus of this kind providedwith a camera. The act will then be staged for performance and themotion picture machine, viz., the camera, will be started.

Third. When all is ready for the sound producing action, the operatorwill press the push button switch 43 thus energizing the electro-magnetand causing the record driving shaft 4:6 to rotate, thus operatii mg thesound record device 69 until the starting signal is sounded, thereby;and there upon the act will be performed; the actors bein guided in timeby the reproduced sounds; fitting the appropriate actions thereto whilethe camera is taking the pictures. The attendant will operate the pushbutton to open the circuit the times when the acts are silent and toclose the circuit when sounds are again required and the performancecontinues until the picture has been taken in time with the soundrecord.

Fourth. The picture film or ribbon will then be developed and theperforations 50 will be made on the dividing lines between thespaces 68on which those pictures occur. at which the sound record was started orstopped so that when the film is run through the projection machine ofthis apparatus, the automatic action to start and stop the sound recordwill be caused as hereinbefore explained.

lln order to cause the same picture record ribbon to start and stop thevarious sound effects at appropriate times, other holes out of line withthe holes 50, as indicated at 50', Fig. 3, may be made in the ribbon,and one or more other electro-pneumatic diaphragms with appropriate airducts controlled by their respective line of holes may be appliedwithinreasonable limits to operate step by step, through a circuitcloser the several sound record machines.

In order that the synchronism of the sound and motion record devices maybe maintained or restored in spite of breakage of the picture ribbon ordestruction of portions thereof, the ribbons will be supplied atintervals with consecutive designating characters as the numbers 69 sothat if one or more sections of the ribbon become injured or destroyed,duplicates of such sections may be ordered and appropriately inserted inthe ribbon from which the damaged sections are removed.

It is understood that various efi'ect-producing means operated from thepicture record device, as the ribbon of the picture machine, may beemployed in connection with the picture machine, as for instance,mechanical devices for producing sound effects, as thunder, clatter ofhorses hoofs, drum-beating, etc., and I regard this invention as beingapplicable through a wide range of equivalents.

It is understood that the purpose of using the electro-pneumaticarrangement is to readily operate the starting and stopping meanswithout injury to thetilm, and that the holes, that is to say themargins of such holes may be made to operate mechanically, variousmechanical arrangements by which said starting and stopping may beeffected. Such mechanical arrange ments are recognized as equivalents ofthe clcctro-pncumatic means shown, and their illustration is not hereinattempted.

The air discharging from the air duct on the film will have a tendencyto keep the film free from dust.

T claim l. The combination with a motion pic ture machine provided witha ribbon, of pneumatic means to apply pneumatic pressure to one side or"the ribbon; said ribbon being provided with perforations; a dia phragmarranged to be operated by pressure passing through such perforations;an electric circuit opened and closed by operation of said diaphragm; anelectro magnet in said circuit; an armature actuated by saidelectro-magnet; a soundreproducing machine; mechanism driven, by themotion picture machine to operate the sound reproducing machine; andmeans controlled through said armature tor op eratively connecting anddisconnecting the sound reproducing machine with said mechanism.

2. A motlon picture machine comprising a ribbon and means for operatingsaid. rlbbon; said ribbon being provided with pic ture spaces and withperforations on the lines between said picture spaces; means to supplypneumatic pressure on said pic: ture ribbon, a sound reproducing machineand electro-pneumatic means actuated through said perforations tocontrol the operation of the sound reproducing machine.

3. The combination with a motion picture machine and a sound reproducingmachine, of mechanism for transmitting motion from the picture machineto the sound reproducing machine; an electro-magnet for controlling saidmechanism; an electro-magnet controlled by the movement of the ribbon ofthe motion picture machine; and step by step mechanism operated by thelast named clectromagnet,for energizing and deenergizing the first namedelectro-magnet.

4. The combination with a motion picture machine and a sound reproducingmachine of an electro-magnet; mechanism operated by the motion picturemachine for operating the record device of the sound reproducingmachine; means controlled by saidelectromagnet to control the operationof the sound reproducing machine through said mecha nism; a step by stepcircuit closer to control said electro-magnet and an electro-magnetcontrolled by the film of the motion picture machine to operate the stepby step circuit closer.

5. In an apparatus of the class set forth a step by step circuit closercomprising a ratchet wheel and a contact wheel; said ratchet wheelhaving twice as many teeth as the contact wheel; a motion picturemachine provided with a ribbon; an electrical cir cuit having contactswhich are connected and disconnected by the operation of the picturemachine ribbon; an armature to operate the ratchet wheel; a magnet insaid circuit to operate the armature; a sound reproducing machine;mechanism for operating the sound reproducing machine in synchronismwith the motion picture machine; means to operatively connect anddisconnect said mechanism and the sound reproducing machine, and anelectrical circuit opened and closed by said step by step circuit closerto control said connecting and disconnecting ing machine andelectro-pneumatic means operated by the passage of air under pressurethrough said holes, for the purpose of starting'and stopping thesound-producing machine in synchronism with said motion picture ribbon.

8. The combination with a motion picture ribbon having perforationstherethrough; of a guide having an aperture of proper dimension andarranged to communicate with said perforations as the ribbon isoperated; means to supply to the ribbon air under pressure forcedthrough said aperture; an electro-pneumatic device in opposition to saidaperture to be operated by the air at such moment as the perforation inthe mo tion picture ribbon coincides or registers with said aperture; asound-producing machine used to produce the sounds which accompany themovements of themotion picture characters or objectsas specified, andmechanism controlled by said electro-pneumatic device for starting orstopping the sound-producingmachine at proper times.

9. T he combination with a motion picture ribbon feeding device having acentrifugal speed controlling governor and a friction driving crankadjustable to drive the said motion picture ribbon feeding devicewithout overpowering the controlling effect of the centrifugal governor;of a sound-producing machine and electro-pneumatic means for startingand stopping said soundproducing machine, said electro-pneumatic meansoperated by holes made in the proper places through the moving pictureribbon fed by the said motion picture ribbon feeding device asspecified.

In testimony whereof, l[ have hereunto set my hand at Los 'Angeles,California, this 30th day of August, 1911.

EDWARD H. AMET.

In presence of JAMEs R. TOWNSEND, L. BELLE RICE.

